Chinese Woman’s ‘Itchy Eyes’ Turns Out to Be 100 Parasites Living in Her Eyelashes

Doctors from Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province, were shocked after they discovered more than 100 eyelash mites living in the eyelids of a woman who went to the hospital to get her “itchy eyes” checked out.

According to the woman, who is only identified as Ms. Xu, she had been suffering from itchy, red eyes for two years. Instead of getting it checked out sooner, she endured the condition and eventually got used to it, Daily Mail reported.

Xu used to treat her itchy eyes with over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, but her condition got worse over time. She developed crusty deposits on her eyelashes that eventually locked her eyelids together.

When asked by doctors about her living condition and home hygiene, Xu admitted that she’s been using a pillow case that she hasn’t washed since 2012. Doctors have concluded that the combination of the unwashed pillow case and poor ventilation in her bedroom had caused this severe build up of eyelash mites.

After examination, Xu was diagnosed by the doctors with Conjunctivitis, inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent layer of tissue covering the white part of the eye, and Blepharitis, irritation and inflammation of the eyelids. Chinese media also noted that more than 10 mites were found in a single eyelash follicle.

Eyelash mites, or also known as demodex folliculitis, are parasites that can be found in the hair follicles on human faces, according to Health Status. They are mostly found in the nose, cheeks, and in Xu’s case, eyelash area. Eyelash mites are usually harmless, and most people will never notice they have these.